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Capital Region Water Balance Model Workshop

“The 3-person teaching team will demonstrate how-to-use the Water Balance Model Express and Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool. In particular, Richard Boase will share the District of North Vancouver experience in applying these tools to support land development and infrastructure decisions,” states Ted van der Gulik.

“The workshop informs and supports the goals of the region’s Integrated Watershed Management Implementation Strategy. Local governments have many competing priorities and everyone is challenged to achieve more with the same resources in order to reduce risk, improve watershed health and comply with regulatory requirements,” states Dale Green.

“The workshop is tailored to meet the information needs of a continuum of local government staff – from general manager to technician. The curriculum is designed to provide everyone with a common understanding of the WHY, WHAT and HOW of rainwater management in a watershed sustainability context,” states Kim Stephens.

Collaboration by Dr. Charles Rowney, Ian Smith and Jim Dumont has enabled a bold leap forward. The technical engine is effective and robust, and the interface design has an elegant simplicity that will resonate with users.

“We now have the tools and experience to ‘design with nature’. We believe that BC is now at a tipping point. Implementation of a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration is within our grasp. The time has come to make the hard decisions and to follow through with policy, regulations and bylaws,” states Richard Boase.

“The Express solves the vast majority of common problems faced by a homeowner exploring ways to implement rainfall capture in accordance with a watershed plan, without requiring use of tools designed for more complex situations,” states Dr. Charles Rowney.

“Every pipe within each catchment is evaluated by examining the INSTALLED PIPE CAPACITY. Based on detailed modelling experience, we know that ‘problems’ fall within a narrow range. The lesson learned is that one need not model every section of pipe. This is why the screening tool compares installed pipe capacity to design discharge,” explains Jim Dumont.

“The Ministry looks forward to aligning efforts with the Partnership to further advance implementation of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative. Inter-regional collaboration is the pathway to a consistent approach to water sustainability and green infrastructure policies and practices up and down the east coast of Vancouver Island,” stated Cairine MacDonald.

“The article by Kim Stephens and Jim Dumont makes important comparisons between stormwater management in the US and Canada. Practitioners in the US can learn a great deal from BC’s approach,” concluded Janice Kasperson.

The American Clean Water Act turned 40 years old in October 2012. “Urban waterways have gone from being wastelands to being the center of redevelopment and activity. The end result — waters are more swimmable, fishable and sources of drinking water are more protected,” writes Gregory DiLoreto, ASCE President-elect.